Stewards Magazine

Fish ecologist Ali Shakoor (MS ’14) developed a love of the outdoors and science from his father. They went fishing and used nature walks and their backyard as opportunities to observe the natural world around them.

It might seem like a given that Shakoor would end up at SEAS, but his introduction to the school was serendipitous. As an undergrad U-M student, he played basketball with SEAS faculty members Jim Diana, Ed Rutherford and David Jude, and was drawn to their work. Through Jude, Shakoor met Gary Crawford, a Black PhD student who was studying round goby in Jude’s lab.

“I began helping Gary process his samples, and it was eye opening. Here’s someone who looked like me doing this kind of research, and it could lead to a career,” Shakoor says. “It was awesome to see the work that was being done, and there was such a sense of community in the school that I felt like I was home.”

Shakoor, who is known on X as @FishScienceDude, is now completing his PhD at Wayne State University in Detroit, where he has been researching the effects of Microcystis exposure on the early-life history of walleye.

A tournament fisherman who competes in Montana, South Dakota and the Upper Midwest, Shakoor also educates others about science. He speaks to anglers and conservation groups about fisheries research and ecosystem challenges to the Great Lakes and gives similar talks to K-12 youth. He’s even been featured on podcasts and documentaries for PBS and The Discovery Channel.

“Reaching the next generation is super important,” he says. “Youth can be a powerful ally in our efforts to positively impact the environment.”